The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has announced that the “State of the State’s Waters” report for 2002 is now available. The report, required on a biennial basis by the federal Clean Water Act, contains a significant amount of informative data about the quality of surface and ground waters in Rhode Island and the programs at DEM that serve to manage and protect them.
The report reflects available water quality data from numerous sources, including state and federal agencies, universities, environmental organizations and citizen volunteers. The data is used in establishing and reviewing the state’s water quality standards to measure progress toward achieving state and federal water quality goals, and to supply information for use in development of permit limits for wastewater discharges and water quality restoration plans.
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A total of 99 percent of the 156.29 square miles of estuarine waters, 79 percent of the 20,917 lake acres, and 36 percent of the 1,498 river miles in the state have been reviewed for the report and are considered assessed.
The 2002 assessment information reveals that:
- 66 percent of river miles, 78 percent of lake acres and 69 percent of estuarine waters assessed support all designated uses.
- Approximately 80 percent of waters designated for shell fishing are open.
- Bacterial contamination continues to be among the leading causes of impairments in all waterbody types.
- Excess nutrients and low dissolved oxygen are among the leading causes of impairments in lakes and estuarine waters.
The report documents the progress made in controlling point sources of pollution, such as discharges from wastewater treatment plants. However, it also shows that the state continues to face challenges in abating water quality pollution from diffuse non-point sources such as stormwater runoff. As reflected in the report, DEM has identified 129 lakes, river segments and coastal waters that fail to meet water quality standards. These waterbodies will be targeted for restoration activities.
For additional information regarding the content of this report, contact Connie Carey at (401) 222-3961. The report is available on the publications page of the DEM Web site, www.state.ri.us/dem and will be placed at various libraries around the state. A hard copy is available for review at the Office of Technical and Customer Assistance at DEM Headquarters, 235 Promenade Street in Providence.
